Key terms & definitions

The authority of the national government of the United States, as distinct from state, territorial or local government.

The national government of the United States, whose laws and enforcement powers can challenge discrimination by state and local authorities.

The West German state formed in May 1949 from the Western occupation zones of Germany.

A system in which powers are divided between a central government and regional governments.

A political system in which powers are shared between a national government and governments of states or regions.

A response from the receiver of a message that helps the sender check understanding or clarify information.

Information a performer receives about their performance, which can help them improve future attempts.

Comments, observations or responses from other people that help a designer judge and improve a product.

A substance used as a starting material to make other chemicals and materials.

A raw material used as the starting material for an industrial process.

A raw material used to manufacture another material; crude oil provides feedstock for many polymers.

A military tactic in which troops pretend to flee, encouraging their opponents to leave a strong defensive position before turning to attack them.

A deceptive military movement intended to mislead an opponent about what an army plans to do.

A seam in which one allowance is trimmed and enclosed by the other, which is folded and stitched down flat.

A dense non-woven fabric made by consolidating wool fibres using moisture, heat and pressure.

The interlocking and matting of wool fibres, which can cause irreversible shrinkage.

A strand of Gothic writing that explores women’s vulnerability, confinement and struggles against controlling power.

Qualities regarded as morally admirable in women. In Roman legends these include sexual fidelity, domestic diligence, loyalty to family and courage in protecting others.

A rhyme in which a stressed syllable is followed by an unstressed syllable, as in “war is” and “bar is”.

Qualities and behaviours that a society associates with being feminine; these associations can change across cultures and over time.

The increasing presence and influence of women in education, together with the argument that school practices increasingly favour characteristics culturally associated with femininity.

The movement for equality between women and men, including equal legal rights, opportunities and treatment.

A sociological perspective that examines gender inequalities and how women may be disadvantaged or exploited.

An approach which examines gender inequalities and supports equal rights, opportunities and power for women.

A viewpoint supporting women's equality and challenging their disadvantage or restriction because of gender.

A person who supports or applies feminist ideas; feminist sociologists examine gender inequality and women’s rights.

An approach that examines gender inequalities and how media representations reinforce or challenge them.

A sociological perspective that examines gender inequality and the power relationships between women and men.

An approach which examines how representations construct gender and power, including whether women are empowered, subordinated or objectified.

An interpretation that examines gender inequality, women's experiences and the distribution of power between women and men.